Ships and Vessels

All vessels (commercial or recreational) entering New Zealand are required to meet a number of obligations prior to and on arrival.

Vessels MUST arrive at an approved port of first arrival unless they have obtained approval before arrival to enter New Zealand at another specified place. Application for approval can be made to MAF at one of the ports of first arrival and will be processed according the Biosecurity Act 1993 including consultation with other relevant government agencies. See Cruise Vessels for making application to arrive at Opua, Milford Sound or other non-designated ports of first arrival ahead of the cruise season.

Please note that there are additional requirements for cruise ships and offshore oil exploration rig operators.

The Arrival Process

Before your arrival

• Yachts - see separate process

All other arriving vessels (masters or agents) must send an Advance Notice of Arrival 48 hours before estimated time of arrival to four different government agencies: MAFBNZ, New Zealand Customs Service , Ministry of Health (Health Protection Officer) and the Maritime Safety Authority .

The MAFBNZ copy must be sent (preferably by email) to the MAFBNZ office at the planned port of entry.

New Zealand has strict conditions regarding the discharge of ballast water. The Ballast Water Import Health Standard requires inbound vessels to formally submit their intentions around ballast water at least 48 hours before arrival along with the Advance Notice of Arrival.

Therefore if your vessel carries ballast water you will be required to submit Part One of the Ballast Water Declaration form 48 hours out from New Zealand and if intending to discharge ballast water within New Zealand waters, Part Two of the Ballast Water Declaration.

Where MAFBNZ is satisfied that the declaration shows that ballast water tanks have been treated by exchange with mid-ocean water, permission will be granted to release ballast water in New Zealand waters. Do not discharge ballast until you have received this permission. See guide to New Zealand Ballast Water Controls to find out more.

Any animals on board must be secured for berthing of the vessel and must remain secured at least until inspected.

A vessel that meets the criteria for high risk of Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) may be required to undergo a high level inspection for AGM egg masses and adults. This will be carried out 8 KM offshore at a location agreed with MAFBNZ and on arrival at port(s). If the vessel holds a current Certificate of freedom from AGM the inspection may be downgraded.

Currently the criteria for high risk of AGM is that the vessel visited a Far East Russian port (south of 60° latitude and west of 147° longitude) between 17 July and 16 October during the last two years.

Medium risk vessels may require intense inspection alongside and cannot arrive within the 3 hours before, or during, the hours of darkness.

Currently criteria for medium risk of AGM is that the vessel visited a Northern Japanese port between latitudes 38° N and 43° 30’N between 1 July and 1 September 2008.

No cargo is to be discharged until the inspection has been completed.

• AGM poster

On arrival

As well as the two pre-arrival documents (the Advance Notice of Arrival and the Ballast Water Declaration), there are other documents you will be asked to complete on arrival:

• A Master's declaration including list of all meat aboard and list of animals aboard (including declaring any animals that have died) Animals such as dogs or cats may be bonded while the vessel is in NZ waters.
• Passenger Arrival cards for all passengers and crew disembarking in New Zealand.

Where a vessel does not berth immediately and goes to anchor, clearance may be delayed for 48 hours after the Master has been informed of any requirements for storage of refuse, and agrees in writing to comply with those conditions.

There are no charges for routine clearance of vessels at approved ports of first arrival. There will be charges for vessels that need to be cleared at anchor.

When you have arrived at your first port of arrival, all people and goods must remain onboard until clearance has been completed, unless there is an emergency situation.

Do not land any refuse within New Zealand territorial waters except by the approved method of the Port being visited. Whilst awaiting collection aboard the vessel, the refuse must be held in such a manner as to preclude access to the refuse by animals, including vermin, birds and insects.

No stores can be landed in New Zealand except as directed by an inspector and can only be disposed of through the approved port refuse collection.

Some meats in the store may be sealed by the inspector and these must not be opened while in New Zealand waters.

Galley waste disposal units and direct outflow chutes are not approved for use in port or within three miles of the coast and must be sealed.

Wood packaging material (includes dunnage, pallets, fillets, spacers etc) for entry to New Zealand should meet New Zealand's requirements for treatment (ISPM 15) and certification.

Non compliant dunnage will be inspected and any contaminated dunnage will be directed to be stored in a place where pests will be contained. If such dunnage is landed this must be as directed by an inspector and there will be a charge for its destruction by an approved process.

MAFBNZ Biosecurity Inspectors (along with New Zealand Customs Service officers) will board the vessel and meet with the Master or their representative to review and complete documentation. A vessel arriving after 1700 hours may not be inspected until morning unless it is due to leave before 0800 hours next day. The inspector may:

• Inspect the decks and holds and superstructure for pest organisms
• Discuss appropriate pest management programmes where needed
• Inspect galleys, and provision areas
• Examine animals, aquarium fish, reptiles and birds if present
• Assess and inspect vessel refuse system
• Inspect any ship's dunnage, wood packaging, pallets and other timber
• Inspect bicycles and sports gear for landing or use in New Zealand
• Inspect any baggage or belongings of specified passengers and landing crew
• Inspect ship's logs relating to ballast water and possibly take samples.

Passengers and crew intending to disembark will be asked to complete their arrival cards and present them to a MAFBNZ Biosecurity Inspector. For cruise passengers and crew see www.biosecurity.govt.nz/enter/ships/cruise.

You will not be allowed to take any stores (including food) or plants from the vessel without written approval by the MAFBNZ Inspector.

Arrival at subsequent New Zealand ports

Vessels that are not fully cleared (such as most commercial trading vessels and passenger vessels) remain under biosecurity surveillance and will be permitted to only visit other approved Ports of First Arrival. Currently these vessels are inspected by MAF at each port of call.

Before departure from New Zealand

Ensure all ballast water discharges have been entered into the Ballast Water Declaration Part 2 before it is uplifted at the port of departure.

For further information:
Qualified MAFBNZ Biosecurity Inspectors are available to respond to your enquiries 24 hours a day, seven days a week by contacting them through one of the email addresses or phone numbers listed under the Ports of First Arrival.

Page last updated: 13 May 2009